The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 76

Despite barking out empty threats, Jeremiah was internally spiraling into sheer panic. He frantically tugged at Jenna's sleeve.

Equally terrified, Jenna spun around to face Preston. "Preston! What are we going to do?"

Preston's face was completely devoid of empathy. "Your brother made his choices. Now he can face the consequences of them."

Jenna's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She grabbed his arm, her grip desperate. "Preston, please! My brother was set up! He doesn't understand how any of this legal stuff works. Our parents died when we were so young, and he practically raised me by himself. You have to help him, please!"

Her high-pitched, sobbing pleas were gratingly obnoxious.

Noticing the irritated crease forming between Chloe's brows, Quentin cut in smoothly. "Whether you plan to hire defense attorneys or start forging evidence, I suggest you get a head start. You aren't welcome on this property. Get out."

Preston swallowed his mounting frustration and turned his gaze back to Chloe. "Chloe, I didn't plan on staying away all night. I just—"

She completely turned her head, refusing to even look at him. "Take your little friend and get the hell out of here. I am sick of looking at you."

Preston's throat bobbed. Blood was still steadily dripping from his slashed palm.

Unable to watch any longer, Ken stepped forward. "Mr. Hayes, please, let's get that hand bandaged..."

Preston stared at the icy, unforgiving lines of Chloe's profile for a long moment before his jaw tightened. He spun on his heel and walked away. Jenna and Jeremiah stumbled over themselves to follow him.

The yard finally fell into a heavy, unbroken silence.

Chloe closed her eyes. The sudden lack of adrenaline hit her like a truck, and she swayed on her feet. Before she could collapse, Quentin was there, catching her securely.

She tried to open her mouth to say she was fine, but in the next second, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her straight into the house.

"Don't talk. Just close your eyes and rest."

Quentin turned his head to look at her, his gaze deep and steady. "It's about letting the dead rest in peace and finding closure for the living. Besides, if your father is looking down right now, I guarantee he isn't upset about the disturbance. He's just heartbroken seeing you like this."

Chloe lowered her eyelashes, hiding the fresh gloss of tears. "I promise I won't ever be this naive again."

Just then, Gabriel jogged over from the perimeter of the yard, his voice dropped to an urgent whisper. "Mr. Shaw, I need you for a second."

Quentin stood up. Gabriel immediately shoved his phone into Quentin's hands, his face flushed with anger. "These scumbags are even worse than I gave them credit for! We haven't even filed the preliminary paperwork yet, and they've already launched a preemptive strike playing the victim!"

Quentin scanned the screen. His expression instantly darkened into something lethal.

He quickly composed himself and looked back at Chloe. "Chloe, I have to deal with a work emergency. I'll come find you in a bit."

Every instinct in Chloe's body screamed that something was wrong. Her chest tightened. "What happened?"